Detra Smith (@detrashalee), owner of  Hannah & Me, Moulton, AL, is a MODERN cover artist as well as an Instagram fave.  Best known for long hairstyling, The Hot Tools Artistic Director and Matrix Artistic Educator has more than 13K followers and has posted more than 700 gorgeous and inspiring photos.

BEAUTY BIO:

Most viral post: 2017 updo for Modern Salon bridal contest. 2016 Purple hair with bright colored hair tattoo underneath. Both were shared multiple times and got so much interaction that I lost count of it all.

Favorite apps: PhotoGrid, SplitPic, Splice, Facetune2

Favorite hashtags: #makeovermagic #stylistssupportingstylists 

Who I’m following: @constancerobbins @shelleygregoryhair @dilekonurtaylor @michelleoconnorbeauty @lalasupdos @mustafaavci

Tip to get best results on a post: Use hashtags that are relevant to the audience you are trying to reach. Create engagement by asking questions or giving the viewer a reason to comment. Post pictures that would draw your interest if someone else posted them.

Favorite professional beauty products: Matrix Style Link Smooth Setter, Style Link Volume Builder, Style Link Volume Fixer, Hot Tools Curl Bar, Hot Tools dryers with AC motors- A lot of stylists don't realize AC motors have more power and last twice as long as DC.

How social media changed my life: I've been a stylist for 33 years. I had an established color clientele that was moving toward a lot of gray touch ups. Social media has allowed me to refresh my clientele by gaining more balayage, fashion colors, and long hairstyles. I started posting the kind of work I wanted to do and that is what started coming in the door. I started sending my work to magazines and it got published. That led to the job as Artistic Director at Hot Tools. More opportunities than ever before are available to stylists through social media.

The first time I was featured on MODERN SALON was…. After I attended Artist Session [MODERN’S photoshoot workshop] for the first time. I learned so much from the Modern Salon team about what it takes to create work that is magazine worthy. That led to a Modern Salon cover about a year later. I also learned from Maggie Mulhern, MODERN’s Beauty and Fashion Director, how to conduct quick interviews and send emails to editors. I credit her for much of my growth today.

SEE THE FULL 2017 MODERN SALON 100 LIST HERE!

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